Things are looking up in our house. We have had a rough week and it when it rains, it pours. When Jacob went back to school a few weeks ago, we would cover the incision site from his surgery with a band-aid because he thought it looked ugly. The band-aids started to irritate his skin and he started healing more so we stopped using the band-aids. The areas of irritation really started itching and annoying him. So in true kid fashion, he started messing with them. It didnt take long before his chin was bright red and goopy looking. Though nothing was draining from the bumps, they just looked gross. The kids had their wellness appointments on Tuesday so we talked to Jacobs pediatrician about his chin. I knew it was infected but the doctor said he may either have a strain of Strep infection or MRSA (staph). WONDERFUL! He was able to culture the sight and sent us home with 2 different antibiotics and an ointment to cover both of the bacterial infections and strict instructions to stay at home for at least 24 hours. The site had not been draining prior to Tuesday afternoon but now it was and we didnt want it to become a hazard to anyone else. After 2 days on the meds and cream, his face cleared up really nicely. Brad and I carried a bottle of bleach and wipes from room to room. We did multiple loads of laundry per day just to keep his clothes and linens clean. I was able to use my nurse training from our stint at Arnold Palmer to drain the rest of the site at home (sorry for the details). The doctor cleared him to return to school and it looks so much better now. We still have not gotten lab results so he is doubled up on antibiotics for at least another day. So far, this has not given his stomach any issues and he is getting a probiotic as well to keep his gut healthy. Hoping also that the scarring from this infection is minimal. We have a lot invested in these skin flaps and want to keep them pretty. The good news in all of this, because we always try to find the bright side, is that Jacob has sensation in his chin, which is a tissue donation site from the tops of his thighs. The surgeons dont think he should be able to feel anything in his chin or left cheek because they did not do any nerve work when they placed the flaps. But I have told you in the past that he gets goosebumps on his face now when he gets cold. Any he was feeling a slight itching with the band-aids and he felt pain with the infection! Hallelujah! What? Why is this crazy mom excited that her son feels pain? Because it is nothing short of miraculous, thats why. Granted, if he had the same measure of sensation in his face that I have, he would have been in agony this week. Another bright side, right there. Enough pain to feel it (yay) but not enough that he was miserable (yay). On top of all of this, poor Emma came down with some sort of stomach bug and/or vaccine reaction on Wednesday night that she is finally (hopefully) over this morning. Poor thing missed two soccer games this weekend and felt really bad. She had 4 different vaccines on Tuesday and it could have played a role in her issues. Hoping that she has turned the corner and we will have normal back this week. My kids are fighters. There is no doubt about that. We will have a run on surgeon appointments around the holidays. We are still expecting to have some sort of surgery this summer but, as of now, we have no idea what that will be. I am fine with that. One less thing to lose sleep over for a while. - Jacobs mom
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 13:36:26 +0000
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